JinkoSolar breaks efficiency record, launches Half Cell series

JinkoSolar has announced at the 19th China International Industry Fair that it has broken its own world record for P-type monocrystalline PERC solar cell efficiency by achieving 23.45%. The record was independently validated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Photovoltaic and Wind Power System Quality Test Center. This new achievement eclipses JinkoSolar’s world-record breaking P-Type monocrystalline PERC solar cell efficiency of 22.78% achieved in October.

“World records have been shattered again and again at JinkoSolar as the company has broken five world records in cell and module efficiency just this year. Now with assistance of intelligent manufacturing, we can translate these world record learnings into mass production, which will undoubtedly make a big splash in the market,” said CEO KangPing Chen, who went on to answer questions about the company’s new Half Cell product.

What is the JinkoSolar Half Cell (HC) Product Series?

“The JinkoSolar HC Series combines the half-cut cell layout with different existing cell technology. The technology has increased the power output of polycrystalline modules to 285Wp, of monocrystalline modules to 295Wp and of monocrystalline PERC module to 320Wp.

“The HC series delivers an increase of 10Wp per panel when compared to its non-half-cell conventional counterparts. When compared to our peers, JinkoSolar’s half-cut cell offerings, on average, have outputs 5Wp higher.

“JinkoSolar is one of the first companies to realize GW-scale mass production of half-cell products. By 2018 our HC series will take the power output of a 60-cell monocrystalline panel to new heights of 330Wp.”

What main advantages do JinkoSolar half-cut cells offer?

“The primary advantages of JinkoSolar’s Half Cell series are power boosting and superior price performance, achieving unprecedented price-performance ratios. The 290-300Wp 120 half-cell (60 regular cells cut in half) mono module has comparable performance to that of the mainstream monocrystalline PERC module, but is far more affordable.

“In addition, our HC series features minimization of hotspot and increased shade tolerance, enabling enhanced reliability and performance ratio in deployment conditions. The series also features high anti-PID qualities.”

How will the consumer benefit from the half cell technology?

“Half-cell design can improve the efficiency of standard cells, increasing module output by 5-10W without adding much cost. Customers can now select cost effective solutions without compromising on power output.”

For which markets is the half-cell panel suitable?

“It’s suitable for both utilities and distributed generation (DG) markets. Half-cell technology has proven itself in the Chinese Top Runner Program, which are governmental demonstration projects requiring high module efficiency and performance.

“More and more utilities projects are run on tendering models, which call for better dollar/kWh performance. While there are many technologies that improve cell performance, their relative high costs limit their potential in the market and large-scale adoption. Since customers become more and more focused on dollars/kWh, combination of higher efficiency, lower cost and lower degradation is the common requirement for project decision makers.

“For the DG market, due to more limited project spaces, users are forced to use more efficient modules to reach the same harvesting potential. Energy policies like net metering and feed-in tariffs provide economic incentives for DG users to produce larger energy surpluses. The current standard cell type is reaching its efficiency apex. The higher power and efficiency modules afforded by JinkoSolar’s half cell technology means that customers will be able to boost their overall energy yield per square meter. These conditions make the HC series ideal for the distributed rooftop markets, where installation space is often limited.”

Based on your opinion, what practical technology is next for the solar industry?

“We’ve talked a lot about technologies but the underlying force that drives everything in the PV industry is still levelised cost of energy. Further requirements on lowering dollar/kWh will continue to drive the industry to seek new paths. Among various innovative technologies, the most fast-developing and latest industry trends across the PV supply chain is half cell technology.

“Combining technical maturity and feasibility, increased power generation performance, lowered marginal cost and increased shade tolerance markets, the half cut module is expected to experience the strongest growth and achieve mainstream adoption over the next five years.”